Nail-arranger



(No Model.) 1

, S. PERRY.

NAIL ARRANGBR. No. 317,568. Patented May 12, 1885.v

vNirnn STATESa PATENT @Prieno STUART PERRY, OF NEVPORT, NE\V YORK.

NAIL-,ARRANGER arncrrcn'rron forming part of Lettere-Patent No. 317,568, dated May 12,1835.

' Appricnaon fue@ tettoia/r` as, tesi. (No model.)

` New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nail-Arrangers; and I do hereby declare that the following is -a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specifica tion.

This invention relates to nail-arranging apparatus designed for filling nail-magazines,in tended more especially for use in connection with automatic nail-driving deviees-such,for instance, as is illustrated in Letters Patent No'. 279,427, granted to the present applicant upon the 12th day of June, 1883. In the said Letters Patent, and also in Letters Patent No. 282,666,also granted to the present applicant, and dated August 7, 1883, a device for filling magazines is shown lconsisting of a tray or receptacle adapted to hold in its bottom, side by side, a series of said magazines arranged with the channels therein uppermost, so that a quantity of nails placed in bulk in the receptacle may, by agitating the latter, be caused to fall with their points downward into the said channels, whereby the latter will be iilled with nails arranged side by side.

The object ofthis inventionis to provide an improved construction in several particulars in nail-arranging devices of the character above stated; and it consists in the matters hereinafter described, and vpointed out in the claims.

The invention may be 'more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure l is aperspectivc view ofthe charging device with a nail-magazinein place therein, a part ofthe whole number of magazines being removed to more clearly show the construction of the parts. Fig. 21's a vertical central section ofthe same, taken on a plane transverse to the magazines. Fig. 3 is a like section, but on a line at right angles to the line on which Fig. 2 is taken. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross section of the same, taken upon line x x of Fig. 3, showing the construction of the stationary nail-channels used to insure the filling of the magazine.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view in perspective of lone ofthe magazines removed from the filling-v case Fi 6 is a detail transverse section of the same. Fig. 7 ispan end elevation of the same. Fig. 8 is a det-ail perspectiveview of aplate connecting the Vmovable magazine-top with the spring supporting the same. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical crosssection showing one side only of a magazine, illustrating the.op eration of the devices by which the top of the magazine is moved laterally to uncover the channel of the magazine when the latter is i11- serted into the filling case or tray. Fig. l0 is a detail view ofthe rod forlifting the magazines.

A is an open-topped case or tray. which is adapted to hold a series of channeled nailmagazinesy-B, said tray being provided in its bottom with a series o f upwardlyprojecting vertical fingers, a, between which the ends of the magazines are placed, and by which the said magazines are held in position wit-hin the tray. The side walls of the tray are preferably of such height that they come fiush with the upper surfaces of the magazines when the latter are inserted therein, and the said tray is provided with a movable frame, A', adapted for attachment upon the side walls ot' the tray7 so as to increase the height of the said side walls and to forni with the filled tray a shallow receptacle, in which nails are placed in bulk. The magazines are in the construction of the device herein shown arranged parallel with each other; but said magazines are made of considerably less length than the distance between the side walls of the tray, which are perpendicular thereto, the space between `their ends and the adjacent side walls at one sideA of the tray being iilled by a series of fixed channels, C, equal in number to and corresponding in position and alignment with the channels of the magazines B when the latter are in place within the tray. By this construction it is obvious that when the magazines are inserted inthe tray a series of parallel channels are formed, extending over the entire area of the tray, and which are adapted to be filled with nails placed in bulk in the receptacle formed by the frame A When the latter is attached to the tray in the manner described in the patents above referred to. As shown in said patent, the part corresponding with the frame A is provided with a se- IOO ries of deiiectors, formed by cross-bars having oppositely inclined or beveled upper faces, arranged over the spaces between the magazines, so as to prevent the loose nails from falling into the said spaces, and to deflect the nails into the channels of said magazines, and a similar construction may be used in connection with the tray, having fixed channels, arranged as above described. Preferably, however, the spaces between the fixed channels i C are filled by solid blocks, or are otherwise l In the particular form of the magazines herein shown, and illustrated more clearly in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, the said magazines are formed with two nail-channels and with separate movable covers B, arranged over each of said channels. The said magazines are preferably made of stiifsheet metal bent to form two parallel channels, as clearly shown in Figs. Gand 7, the adjacent or inner walls of the channels being made of proper distance apart to form between them a horizontal surface, b', upon which rest the inner sides of the heads of the nails held in the channels, this ledge or surface being of sufficient Width to prevent the Y nail-heads in the channels from comingincontact with each other, and thereby interfering with the independent movement of the nails in the channels. The metal at the upper edge of the outer walls of the channels is, as shown, bentY outwardly in the same plane with the ledge b', so as to form similar ledges, b2, for the outer sides of the heads, the metal also being preferably bent upwardly at the outer edges of said ledges b2, so as to form outerlongitudinal iianges to give additional stiffness to theupper edges of the magazine.

The caps B, before mentioned, are, as herein shown, composed of sheet metal formed with downwardly-projecting iianges b3 upon their outer edges, whereby the requisite stiffness is given to the covers, the said iianges,

when the covers are secured to the magazines,

being located voutside of and adjacent to the upturned flanges ofthe magazine. rlhe covers or caps B are, as herein shown, placed at a sufficient distance above the ledges b b2 to be free from contact with the nail-heads, and to thereby allow the nails to move freely through the channels by the action of gravity, in a manner and for a purpose fully set forth in another application for patent upon a naildriver, filed by me simultaneously herewith on the 23d day of October, 1884, and serially numbered V146,237, in which the magazine herein shown is fully illustrated and described. The caps B are attached to the magazine by means of springs B2, `which are preferably made of U shape and secured at their central portions to the bottom of the magazine by straps b4 bf, soldered or otherwise attached to the sheet metal composing the latter, so as to extend upwardly at the sides of the magazine, the upper or free ends of the springs being connected with the vertical side iianges, Z13, of the caps B. In the particular construction herein shown the springs are connected with the cap by means of plates B3, riveted or soldered to the caps, and to which the ends of the springs are riveted. are provided with downwardly and outwardly curved or inclined projections or prongs b5, adjacent to the point of connection of the described.

The springs B`Z are arranged, when in their normal position, to hold the caps over the channels b, and are adapted to yield, so as to allow the caps to be moved outwardly from over the channels for the purpose of admitting the nails thereto. For the purpose of holding the said caps outwardly, so as to leave the channels open when the magazines are in the tray, the iingers a are preferably provided at their upper ends with downwardly and outwardly inclined faces a, adapted to engage the prongs b5 ofthe plates B3 when the magazine is inserted in the tray, and to thereby move the caps outwardly, so as to uncover the channels b. lIhe outer surfaces, c2, of the ngers a below the inclined faces a. are preferably made vertical, and are so arranged that when the magazine is pressed downwardly between the lingers the said projections are car- 'ried below the inclines a and rest upon the said vertical sides c2 ofthe fingers, so as to hold the caps open, as seen in Fig. 9. Vhen the magazines are lifted from between the fingers, the springs B2 will obviously cause the caps b to resume their normal position over the channels b.

The channels b of the magazine are closed at their outer ends by a cap or end piece, B4, herein shown as provided with a horizontal rib, bs, adapted to aid in securing the magazine in the nail-driver, as fully set forth in the application above referred to, and the ends of the channels at the opposite or inner end of the magazine are left open and a U- shaped 11e-enforcing piece, B5, of metalis fastened to the ends ofthe sheet metal composing the magazine to give the necessary stiffness to adapt the magazine to iit accurately the holding device of the nail-driver, as also set forth in the said application.

In the particular construction of the stationary nail-channels C herein shown said channels are formed of sheet-metal plates, each of which 'is bent to form two parallel channels, c c, of the saine form and distance apart as the channels b ofthe magazines, the plates thus bent being supported upon blocks O, attached The said plates B:sr

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springs B2 therewith, for a purpose hereinafter tothe tray between each adjacent pair of channels. The outturned edges of the metal composing the channels are, as shown in Fig. 4, extended over and secured to the upper surface of the said blocks, the strips or bars C2 hereinafter described being, when present, conveniently fitted upon said edge portions of these metal plates. In the construction herein illustrated filling or spacing `blocks c2 are inserted into the spaces between the adjacent walls of each pair of channels; but said spacing-pieces are obviously not-essential.

To the upper surfaces ofthe blocks C', between the channels C, are preferably secured a series of strips, CZ, desirably made of metal, and provided with rounded or inclined upper surfaces, said strips operating to facilitate the entrance of the nails to the channels in the same manner as the deectors shown and described in the patents above referred to.

The caps B' at the end of the magazine upon which the re-enforcing piece Bfis secured, and which is adjacent to the stationary guidechannels when inserted in the tray, are made somewhat shorter thanthe channels b, so as to enable the magazines to be properly secured in the nail-holding devices, as fully described in the application before referred to. By reason of the caps being short at this end of the magazine, as above described, spaces will obviously be left between the ends of the magazines and the stationary channels, which will be uncovered when the caps B are spread apart to cover the spaces between the said magazines; and in order to prevent the entrance of nails to these spaces, the strips C2 are extended beyond the channels C to a point adjacent to the ends of the caps, Fig. 3, the said strips, as shown at c3, Fig. 3, usually being made slightly narrower at their ends c3 than the spaces between the magazines, so that the latter may be lifted -upwardly without coming in contact with the projecting ends of the said strips.

The fingers a are, as herein shown, formed by means of notches in metal plates A2 A2, fixed in a tray parallel with the sides of the latter, as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3. The Aframe A is detachably secured to the tray, as herein shown, by means of dowel-pins in the adjacent faces of the frame and tray, and the latter is fastened upon the tray by means of a sliding bolt or catch, a, on each side thereof, as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3. The said frame A is also preferably provided with a door or discharge opening, A3, forming part of one of the side pieces of said frame and extending the entire length at one side of the latter at its lower edge adjacent to the tray, as clearly shown in Figs. l and 3, the said door being, as shown, attached to the frame by hinges a, and provided with a button, al, whereby thedoor may be held closed. The frame is provided at its lower edge adjacent to the door with a metal cross-bar, as, for the purpose of suitably connecting the side pieces. The object of the said door is t0 enable the surplus nails to be readily discharged from the tray after the magazines are filled, this being accomplished by tilting the side of the tray opposite the door upwardly, so as to cause the loose nails to slide over the magazines and to fall through the said door.

In order to enable the magazines to be readily started or lifted in taking them out of the tray, a bent rod, D, is provided, which is located beneath the magazines, as shown in Fig. 3 and in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and extends upwardly at one side of the' tray, so that it may be grasped and lifted and the magazines thereby raised into position to be readily taken out by the hand. In the particular construction of the rod D herein shown said rod is formed with two arms, d, extending beneath the magazines at opposite ends of the latter, and provided with upturned portions d', located in contact with the inner face of one of the side walls ofthe tray, said parts d being connected at their upper ends by a horizontal portion, which serves as a handle by which the rod may b e grasped. In the operation of removing the magazines in the manner stated the nail-channels of the magazines will obviously be closed by the release of the caps from the upper ends of the lingers as soon as the magazines have started from their places in the tray, so that any liability of the escape of the nails from the said channels is obviated.

The receptacle comprising the tray A and the frame A is desirably provided with a cover or lid, A4, herein shown as provided at one side with lugs a8, adapted to entersuitable apertures, a, in the inner vertical sides of the frame A,and at its opposite side with a springcatch, al". The said cover is desirably provided with an inwardly-projecting sheet-metal plate, A5, adapted to bear at its lower edge upon the top surfaces of the magazines D when the cover is secured to the receptacle, and to thereby hold the said magazines in place when the entire apparatus, with the magazines therein, is moved or carried from place to place. A handle, A, is shown as attached at one side of the case or receptacle for convenience in transporting the latter.

In the use of the apparatus constructed as above described, in filling the magazines, the

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magazines are first placed within the tray, the

frame A is secured in place upon said tray, the door A3 is closed, and a quantity of loose nails, somewhat greater than necessary to fill the magazines, is then placed within the receptacle upon the magazinesand fixed channels C. rIhe ent-ire case is then agitated, or the nails are brushed back and forth by a scoop or otherwise in the receptacle, so as to cause the nails to fall into and accumulate both in the fixed channels and the channels of the magazines. When the channels are filled to a suitable extent, as will be readily ascertained by experiment, the side of the tray at which fixed channels are located is elevated, so as to,-

cause the nails in the fixed channels to gravitate into the magazines, and to thereby comto thereby enable the magazines to be filled more quickly than would otherwise be possible, it obviously being necessary in the coustruction shown Vin the patents above mentioned to agitate the tray a considerable time before a sufficient number of nails will have entered the channels of the magazines to approximately fill them. Itis obviously immaterial, so far as the operation of the fixed nailchannels is concerned, whether said channels are formed as herein described or otherwise, and my invention is not therefore limited to the particular means herein shown for forming the said channels. The rounded or beveled strips C2 between the pairs of fixed channels may also be dispensed with,and advantageous results still obtained. The said fixed channels may also obviously be used in connection with magazines having a single nail-channel, such as is shown in the patents above referred to, as well as in connection with the magazines having two nail-channels, herein described.

It is not important that the particular relation between the lengths of the fixed channels and the magazines herein shown should be preserved, and the said fixed channels may cover a greater part or less part of the bottom of thel tray than herein shown; or they may cover the entire area of the tray, in which case suitable Aholding devices for the magazines will be provided upon the tray outside of the latter for sustaining said magazines in position to receive the nails from the fixed channels.

The particular construction herein shown, whereby the frame A is made separate from the tray, is obviously not essential to the operation of the device, and the said tray and frame may be made in one piece with advantageous results.

It is usually intended that the fixed channels G shall remain permanently in the tray A; but they may of course be made removable for repairsor other purposes, inasmuch as their perma1iently-fixed or removable charac ter does not affect their function in carrying out my invention, it only being necessary that said guides shall be held in the tray in such manner that the magazines may be withdrawn and replaced substantially in the manner set forth.

I claim as my invention- Y l. In a device for charging magazines with nails, the combination of a receptacle provided with iiXed nail-receiving channels, a series of movable nail-magazines, and means, substantially as described, for holding the said magazines in position to receive the nails from the said fixed channels, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of aseries of channeled nailn1agazines provided with laterally-mow able caps, substantially as described, and a receptacle Aconstructed to support 'the magazines in its bottom, substantially as and for the purpose set forth, Y

3. The combination, with one or more nailmagazines, each having two nail-channels provided With two laterally and outwardly movable caps, substantially as described, of a receptacle constructed to hold a number of said magazines side by side, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. rlhe combination, with a series of channeled nail-magazines and a receptacle constructed to support said magazines in its bottom, of laterally-movable caps attached to the said magazines by spring-connections, tending to hold the caps over the channels of the magazines, and means, substantially as described, upon the receptacle and the magazines, adapted to move the caps laterally when the said magazines are inserted therein, whereby the channels will remain open toreeeive the nails when the magazines are in the receptacle and will be closed when the magazines are removed therefrom, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with a series of channeled nail-magazines and a receptacle constructed to receive and support said magazines, oflaterally-movable caps attached to said mag azines by spring-connections, tending to hold the caps over the channels of the magazines, and projections upon the receptacle, provided with inclined faces adapted to engage the caps or a part attached thereto, so as to uncover the nail-channels of the magazines when the latter are inserted in the receptacle, substantially as and for thevpurpose set forth.

6. The combination, with a series of channeled nail-magazines and a receptacle adapted to receive and hold said magazines, of laterally-movable caps attached to the magazines by springconnections,tending to hold the caps over the nail-channels of the magazines, and supports upon the receptacle for the magazines, each consisting of a plate provided with a series of upright fingers having inclined faces adapted to engage the caps or parts attached thereto, so as to uncover said nail-channels when the magazines are inserted in the receptacle, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination, with a. receptacle provided with stationary nail-holding channels and a series of channeled nail-magazines, of

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laterally-movable caps attached to said magazines by springs, and provided with curved prongs b5, and fingers upon the receptacle, provided with inclined faces adapted to engage said prongs b5, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination, with a series of nail magazines, of a filling case or receptacle, sub- Igo stantially as described, for charging said magazines, having a door, A3, for the exit of surplus nails, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with a series of nailmagazines, of a receptacle constructed to receive and hold said magazines in its bottom,

l and a rod, D, extending beneath the magazines and adapted to lift the latter from their positions in the receptacle, substantially as described.

10. The combination, With a series of nailmagazines, of a receptacle adapted to receive and hold a series of said magazines in its bottWo Witnesses.

STUART PERRY. Witnesses:

J. T. WoosTER, WM. REYNOLDS. 

